Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE)

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) program prepares students for successful careers as teachers, researchers, and leaders in academia, industry, and the public sector. The program emphasizes the systems engineering, collaboration, and engagement skills critical to addressing the complex societal problems of tomorrow. ISE graduate students tackle these problems in a supportive environment working with nationally-recognized faculty.

Industrial and Systems Engineers (ISE) are known for solving complex problems requiring the integration of people, technologies, materials, and environments. What a fun way to advance society, and what a fun challenge it will be to take the journey towards finding the best solutions. North Carolina A&T ISE is comprised of 200 of the best and brightest ISEs in training. We have students who bring intellectual, interpersonal, and innovative talents that are value-added for any organization. Our industry, government, and academic partners recognize the strengths of Aggie ISEs and utilize these talented engineers in their respective organizations. We have facilities, faculty, and staff that are well-suited for research, teaching, and student engagement. We are an institution that celebrates substance over form. You will know our substance by our vision, which is:

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering will be internationally recognized for innovative research, transformational teaching and learning, and impactful community engagement that will prepare diverse engineers to be leaders in solving global challenges.

The Ph.D. program generally takes 4 years to complete. The duration may take longer depending on thesis/dissertation topic, writing, and research.

Total credit hours: 69 (post-baccalaureate)

• Core courses (12 credits): ISEN 625, 655, 665, 675
• ISEN specified courses (12 credits): Select 12 credit hours from ISEN 721, 812, 813, 814, 821 or ISEN 833, 841, 852, 853
• ISEN courses (12 credits): Take additional 12 credit hours of graduate-level ISEN courses with the approval of the advisor
• Engineering courses (12 credits): Take 12 credit hours of additional engineering courses at 700 or 800 level with the approval of the advisor
• At least 21 course credits should be at 800 level
• Seminar (3 credits): Take ISEN 992 three times in three semesters
• Dissertation (18 credits): ISEN 997
• Pass qualifying exam, preliminary exam, dissertation defense

Total credit hours: min 45 (post-Master)

• Core courses*: ISEN 625, 655, 665, 675
• ISEN specified courses*: Select 12 credit hours from ISEN 721, 812, 813, 814, 821 or ISEN 833, 841, 852, 853
• ISEN courses*: Take additional 12 credit hours of graduate-level ISEN courses with the approval of the advisor
• Engineering courses*: Take 12 credit hours of additional engineering courses at 700 or 800 level with the approval of the advisor
• At least 21 course credits should be at 800 level
• Seminar (3 credits): Take ISEN 992 three times in three semesters
• Dissertation (18 credits): ISEN 997
• Pass qualifying exam, preliminary exam, dissertation defense

*Number of credits/courses varies due to the number of credits a student can transfer from the Master’s degree. The student must consult with the Graduate Program Director to initiate the credit transfer process, which will be reviewed and decided by the ISE Graduate Program Committee.

Dissertation Research

A student may not register for dissertation credits before passing the Qualifying Examination. No more than 18 dissertation credits are counted toward the total credit hours required for the degree.

Qualifying Examination

The Qualifying Examination is given to assess the student’s competence in a broad range of relevant subject areas. Only students with unconditional status and in good academic standing may take the Qualifying Examination. A student who wants to retake the Qualifying Examination must apply to retake the Qualifying Examination by the posted deadline. No student is permitted to take the Qualifying Examination more than twice. A student not recommended for re-examination or who fails the exam on a second attempt may be dismissed from the doctoral program.

Preliminary Oral Examination

The Preliminary Oral Examination is conducted by the student's dissertation committee and is a defense of the student’s dissertation proposal. Passing this exam satisfies the requirements for Ph.D. Candidacy. Failure on the examination may result in dismissal from the doctoral program. The student's Advisory Committee may permit one re-examination. At least one full semester must elapse before the re-examination. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

Admission to Candidacy

Students will be admitted to candidacy upon successful completion of the Qualifying Exam and the Preliminary Oral Exam.

Final Oral Examination

The Final Oral Examination is conducted by the student's dissertation committee. This examination is the final dissertation defense presentation that is scheduled after a dissertation is completed. The examination may be held no earlier than one semester (or four months) after admission to candidacy. Failure on the examination may result in dismissal from the doctoral program. The student's Advisory Committee may permit one re-examination. At least one full semester must elapse before the re-examination. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

Submission of Dissertation

Upon passing the Ph.D. Final Oral Examination, the Ph.D. student must have the dissertation approved by each member of the student's dissertation committee. The approved dissertation must be submitted to The Graduate College by the deadline given in the academic calendar, and must conform to the Graduate College’s guidelines for theses and dissertations.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial and Systems Engineering program will prepare graduates to:

• Demonstrate broad knowledge of industrial and systems engineering sub-disciplines and deep knowledge of a specific sub-discipline.
• Effectively teach industrial and systems engineering methods and tools.
• Independently perform research with mentoring from a faculty member.
• Decompose systems into component parts and logically model and evaluate using mathematical, statistical and computational tools.
• Construct and improve integrated systems or processes consisting of people, materials, information, equipment, and energy considering life cycle factors.
• Formulate and solve multi-objective problems using industrial and systems engineering methods and tools.
• Communicate Industrial and Systems Engineering research information in written, oral, and presentation formats.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) program prepares students for successful careers as teachers, researchers, and leaders in academia, industry, and the public sector. The program emphasizes the systems engineering, collaboration, and engagement skills critical to addressing the complex societal problems of tomorrow. ISE graduate students tackle these problems in a supportive environment working with nationally-recognized faculty.

Industrial and System Engineers apply problem-solving and design skills to every kind of organization. Therefore, ISEs are hired for hardcore manufacturing companies such as aerospace, electronics, automobile, and food processing as well as for service industries such as banks, hospitals, governments, and transportation agencies. Virtually any organization may use the skills that industrial engineers possess. Some examples of ISE jobs include:

• Production Supervisor
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Operations Manager
• Human Factors Specialist
• Supply Chain Manager
• Logistics Specialist
• Technical Sales Engineer
• Systems Analyst